It’s not clear exactly what causes some dogs to develop a food
allergy. In certain cases a dog may experience a change in
their immune system, causing certain ingredients to be perceived as
foreign even if they are not harmful.

What does the body do? It attacks the “intruders”, often times in the form of dog skin allergies.

So how does your dog develop a food allergy in the first
place? Can they be born with it or does it always just
develop over time?

Both! Dog food allergies can be genetic or come about as
their body’s systems change with age.

Dog skin
problems aren’t the only symptom of a dog food
allergy.
Your dog could also experience…

Licking - most often they will lick and chew
their paws, groin area and armpits.

Dog ear
infection - can be painful for the dog,
they may scratch at the ear, rub it along the floor or frequently and
dramatically tilt their head to one side.

Digestive problems - might show in a loss of
appetite or unpredictable bowel movements (see our Dog Diarrhea and Dog Constipation pages for more on this)

Now on to the patience part…

The only way for you and your veterinarian to determine the cause of
your dog’s food allergy is to put your dog on a hypoallergenic or elimination diet for a minimum of 8-12 weeks.

The new diet will consist of ingredients not found in your dog’s
previous food. The source of protein in the food is the usual
cause of the allergy, so by substituting a different source of protein
such as venison, fish or duck, you may find that the allergic symptoms
improve.

Introduce one new ingredient at a time. If your dog’s body
reacts to one, you’ll know the culprit.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD)

Dogs suffering from flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) despise fleas even more than you and your family do!

This form of dog skin allergy is a skin disease caused by an allergic reaction to flea saliva. For dogs with this condition, it only takes one bite to trigger intense itching and discomfort.

How can you tell if your dog suffers from flea allergy dermatitis?

Dogs who are allergic to flea bites often chew and bite their backs, legs, bellies and tails. This biting can lead to a skin condition called hot spots, in which the dog's hair falls out in a specific area and is often accompanied by a rash, bumps and bleeding.

The good news is that figuring out if your dog has FAD is much easier
than finding a dog food allergen…

Atopy in Dogs

Atopy is an allergic condition that effects 15% of all dogs. It usually develops when they are between 1 and 3 years old, but it can be present anywhere from age 4 months to 7 years.

Atopy is just a fancy way of saying
that your dog is allergic to
various environmental allergens such as pollen, molds, house dust mites
and animal dander.

As with a dog food allergy, it can be genetic or come about over time, but
there are specific breeds that seem to be more susceptible.
If your dog is a Terrier, Setter, Retriever, Dalmatian or Chinese
Shar-Pei, they are more likely to suffer from this kind of allergy.

Itching is the primary symptom, especially around the face, feet, lower
chest and belly. And frequent scratching can cause hair loss
and hot spots to develop.

As with flea allergy dermatitis, atopy can be a tricky condition to
diagnose because its symptoms mirror those of so many other issues.

Your veterinarian will start with a process of elimination, ruling out
other causes of itching such as fleas, mites, lice, bacterial and yeast
infections and food allergies.

Blood tests can be performed to help pinpoint the cause of the
itching. It is also important to bring your vet a detailed
description of your pet’s history. Sometimes, diagnosing a
disorder is like putting together a puzzle; it requires all of the
pieces to create an accurate image.

So how can atopy be treated?

Helpful Herbs for Atopic Dogs

Green Tea

Cleavers

Licorice

Yellow Dock

Albizzia

Burdock

Oregon grape & root

Nettle

Red clover

Unfortunately, atopy is a lifelong condition, and, for now, there is no
known cure. But there are a number of ways to help manage the
problem…

Anti-itch therapies are a good way to
help alleviate the stress and discomfort your dog experiences.

If you and your vet have been able to determine
the source of the allergy, then try your best to keep your dog away
from it. This can be difficult, considering many of the
sources are airborne, but give it your best shot.

Immunotherapy is an option. It uses a
series of injections to gradually build your dog’s immunity.

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Disclaimers: The information contained in this web site is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not intended as nor should be relied upon as medical advice. Rather, it is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a pet owner/site visitor and his/her local veterinarian(s). Before you use any of the information provided in the site, you should seek the advice of a qualified professional.

In the spirit of full
disclosure, we wanted to let you know that we proudly support this
website through advertising and affiliate marketing. In other words,
when you click on a link that takes you outside of this website, we
often earn a small commission. These small commissions allow us to keep
the site up and running and to continue offering it completely free of
charge to you. Rest assured that all content, recommendations and
advice are created before, and are independent of, any sponsorship or
affiliate relationship. Click
here for more info.